Grown near the Huang Shan mountains in the southern Anhui Province, Keemun in China, this tea is a relatively strong. Subtle notes of cocoa, leather, dried plum and wet earth can be noted.

Taster’s Review:

This is a stunning Keemun: full-flavored and delicious, but with a somewhat softer approach. Many Keemun teas are very bracing, this is not quite as bold but at the same time manages to maintain a gentle strength that I am really enjoying.

My first reaction to the taste of this tea is “wow! Smoky.” But as I continue to sip, I realize that it is less “smoky” than it is almost charcoal-esque. Not that it tastes as though I’ve steeped some of charcoal briquettes or anything, but it has that sort of essence about it.

It is a very earthy and masculine tasting tea, but underneath these assertive flavors is a wonderful sweetness. A molasses-y sweetness! I also get the flavors as described in the product description above. I taste notes of a savory cocoa, a rustic leather, sweet dried plum and damp earth.

Together, it becomes a deliciously complex cup of tea. At first reaction, I was a bit uncertain about this tea, but now, as I am finishing the cup, I am realizing just how good this really is. It’s good for multiple infusions too!

Anne (aka the Mad Tea Artist) has celebrated her 29th birthday for many years now. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her hubby and her youngest daughter. Her oldest daughter is married and has bestowed Anne with the proud title of "Gramma" and her grandson is about the cutest boy you ever did see.
Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog!
Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!